Tag: First Half 2026

Top Ten Tuesday – Novels from the First Half of 2026 that I still Need to Read

On By The Unseen LibraryIn ListLeave a comment

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics.  In addition to my other Top Ten List of the night that looked at the best Australian novels I have so far enjoyed in 2026, I’m also going to highlight the top books from the first half of the year that I still need to read.

While I have already enjoyed a substantial number of outstanding books in 2026, there are still quite a few impressive novels from the first half of the year that I have yet to read.  Many of these were on my most anticipated books lists for 2026, and while I was really excited for them, I have honestly not had a chance to check all of them out yet.  Therefore, I am going to use this list to shame myself in the hope that it gets me into gear to finally check out these epic reads.  This proved to be an easy list to pull together, as many of these books have been weighing on my mind for a while.  All 10 novels below (plus honourable mentions) sound really, really good, and I hope I get the chance to read all of them soon.

Honourable Mentions:

The Death Row Club by V. A. Vazquez

A fun sounding thriller that I am still hoping to read.

Amazon

 

The Arcadian by Steven Pressfield

An excellent historical fiction novel from Steven Pressfield, whose previous work has been so damn good.

Amazon

 

The Crossroads by C. J. Box

I really need to check out The Crossroads by C. J. Box at some point, especially after having so much fun with the other books in Box’s main series.

Amazon

 

I, Claudia by D. N. Potter

A very entertaining and comedy laden crime fiction read that I’m still hoping to check out.

Amazon

Top Ten List:

First Mage on the Moon by Cameron Johnston

Let’s start this list off with a book I’m still hoping to read soon, First Mage on the Moon by Cameron Johnston.  The latest unique standalone fantasy offering from Johnston (whose previous works include The Maleficent Seven and The Last Shield), First Mage on the Moon is a fantastic release I regret not checking out sooner.  I’m very curious to see if the titular mage protagonist ends up making it to the moon, and I will be making a major effort to read this book before the end of the year.

Amazon

 

Blindside by Michael Mammay

After loving the rest of the books in Michael Mammay’s Planetside series (Planetside, Spaceside, Colonyside and Darkside), I’m surprised I haven’t gotten around to reading the latest entry, Blindside, yet.  Set to feature another intense thriller narrative of corporate secrets and intrigue in the far future, Blindside sounds quite amazing, and I’ve been keen to read it for a while.  I’m hoping to check this out at some point soon, especially on audiobook, and I cannot wait to continue this series when I get a chance.

Amazon

 

Click by Sarah Bailey

One of the bigger Australian fiction releases of 2026 that I still need to check out is the fascinating sounding Click by Sarah Bailey.  A follow-up to Bailey’s acclaimed novel, The Housemate, Click has a lot of potential to be one of my favourite Australian books of the year.  I unfortunately haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, but I know I will enjoy it when I do.

Amazon

 

Warhammer 40,000: Death Rider by Rhuairidh James

Fans of this blog know that I always try to read every new Warhammer 40,000 novel as soon as it comes out, however, with the sheer number of Warhammer books released each year this isn’t always possible.  As such, one of the more intriguing debuts of the year, Death Rider by Rhuairidh James slipped through the cracks, and I haven’t had a chance to get around to reading it yet.  Set to follow a commissar caught up in a military disaster, Death Rider has a fantastic premise, as the commissar’s duty requires him to convince his troops to retreat, rather than make a last stand.  I have a feeling this is going to be a particularly awesome Warhammer novel, and I’m going to try and read it soon.

Amazon

 

City of Others by Jared Poon

Another major 2026 debut I want to check out is the intriguing sounding City of Others by Jared Poon.  A compelling urban fantasy set in Singapore, City of Others has been on my radar for a while, and I am very keen to read it this year.  Sure to be a top read, I cannot wait to finally get into City of Others.

Amazon

 

Mortedant’s Peril by R. J. Barker

One of the fantasy books I feel most guilty about not reading yet is Mortedant’s Peril.  The new book from R. J. Barker, a fantasy author who has impressed me many times in the past, Mortedant’s Peril follows the hectic adventures of a man who talked to the wrong ghost and found out some terrible secrets about his beloved fantasy city.  I really love the sound of Mortedant’s Peril’s plot and based on how good an author Barker is, I know that this is likely one of the better books of the year.  I really need to try and get to Mortedant’s Peril in the next few months, and I cannot wait to see how this book turns out.

Amazon

 

Parallax by Jeremy Robinson

I’ve done well reading some new stuff from awesome science fiction author Jeremy Robinson this year, especially his outstanding novel 30Seven (one of my favourite books and audiobooks from the first half of 2026).  However, I missed out on reading one of his other new release, Parallax.  A high-concept read that sees a trouble protagonist who can see things that aren’t supposed to be there, dragged into an elaborate and ancient labyrinth to uncover a terrible secret, Parallax sounds like an incredible read with some of Robinson’s more out-there ideas.  I’m hoping to get to Parallax at some point this year, although whether I will have the chance before Robinson’s third 2026 novel, Settle Down, comes out, remains to be seen.

Amazon

 

Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon by Mike Chen

I always love a good Star Wars read, and as such I’m disappointed that I haven’t had the chance to read the new Mike Chen Star Wars novel, Low Red Moon.  A tie-in to the Star Wars Outlaws game, Low Red Moon looks set to follow two of the games more interesting characters, and the events that led up to their dark actions in Outlaws.  Set to provide some fascinating insights into the criminal underworld in the Imperial era of Star Wars lore, Low Red Moon sounds pretty awesome, and I am very much hoping to read it at some point this year.  If I do, it will probably be on audiobook, as it is narrated by two of the voice actors from Outlaws revisiting their main roles from the game.

Amazon

 

Daughter of Crows by Mark Lawrence

One of the bigger fantasy releases of 2026 I’ve so far failed to read is the new Mark Lawrence novel, Daughter of Crows, which starts his new The Academy of Kindness series.  Lawrence is always an excellent author to check out, and this new novel sounds quite fun, with a dark take on the classic magical school narrative.  I will have to see how I go with reading Daughter of Crows this year, but I am sure it will prove to be an outstanding novel when I finally get to it.

Amazon

 

Warhammer 40,000: Veterans of the Fall by William Crowe

The final book from the first half of 2026 that I still need to read is the Warhammer 40,000 novel Veterans of the Fall.  A collection of shorter stories combined into one novel; Veterans of the Fall follows an elite group of desperate survivors as they fight to remain on world essentially already fallen to the enemy.  I have heard that this novel is an amazing and action packed read, and I am really hoping I get the chance to dive into it at some point this year.  A great final entry on this list of awesome books I really need to read before the end of 2026.

Amazon

 

Well, that is the end of this latest list.  As you can see, there are a bunch of exceptional novels from the first half of the year that I need to check out.  All the above books sound incredibly epic, and I am going to have to try a lot harder to start reading through them.  In the meantime, let me know which books released in the first half of the year you most regret not reading in the comments below.

Top Ten Tuesday – My Favourite Australian Books from the First Half of 2026

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Australian, List1 Comment

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics.  The official topic for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday was to list a participant’s books that they had to have immediately but still haven’t read. While this is an interesting concept, I’m instead going to do something different and will provide two separate lists here that continue my theme of recapping the first half of 2026.

I have had a lot of fun recapping some of the best books, audiobooks and new-to-me-authors from the first half of 2026 in previous weeks, but I also need to spend this time highlighting releases from outstanding Australian authors.  While I generally tend to read a great deal of Australian fiction each year due to my location, I have found that the first half of 2026 has been a particularly impressive year for Australian fiction, with some truly outstanding novels from very talented local authors.

As such, I thought I would take this opportunity to highlight some of the very best Australian talents who have so far released books in 2026.  To make it onto this list, the book had to be released by an Australia author this year.  I tend to take a bit of a different approach to Australian fiction than some other bloggers, as I highlight all books written by Australian authors rather than novels purely set in Australia or featuring Australian characters.  The eventual list I pulled together was pretty long, but I was eventually able to whittle it down into the absolute best Australian books of the year so far, which included some amazing reads from across the genres.

Honourable Mentions:

On the Edge by Kate Horan

A compelling and intense novel about secrets in small town Australia.

Amazon

 

Red Star Rebels by Amie Kaufman

A very exciting young adult science fiction novel from a major Australian author.

Amazon

 

The Writers Retreat by Victoria Brownlee

An intriguing novel with a great take on a recent mystery trope.

Amazon

 

We Did It Anyway by Carla Salmon

A fun Australian young adult adventure novel that serves as a sequel to Salmon’s debut We Saw What You Started.

Amazon

Top Ten Tuesday:

The Red Winter by Cameron Sulivan

A novel that has been a highlight of several of my previous lists, The Red Winter was an excellent debut from Australian author Cameron Sulivan.  A unique and compelling read that combined fun fantasy elements with some fascinating dives into French history, The Red Winter was an exceptional novel that had me hooked very early on.  A highly recommended book that is a wonderful first entry on this list.

Amazon

 

The Lineup by Nicholas Timms

Next up we have probably the most ‘Australian’ novel on this list, with The Lineup by Nicholas Timms.  A very compelling crime fiction debut that follows a former surfer who returns home to Byron Bay to find a killer, The Lineup was very impressive novel with some real heart to it.  I deeply enjoyed this book, and it truly showcased how distinctive Australian crime fiction can be.

Amazon

 

Redbelly Crossing by Candice Fox

One of Australia’s best known crime fiction authors continues to pump out awesome hits in 2026 with Redbelly Crossing by Candice Fox.  A powerful standalone Australian thriller, Redbelly Crossing follows two damaged siblings as they investigate a murder in their remote hometown.  However, dark secrets soon set the siblings against each other with deadly results.  This was a particularly intense read from Fox, who taps into some real-life Australian tragedy with powerful results.

Amazon

 

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson

New Australian author Shailee Thompson had one of the more exciting debuts of 2026, with How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates.  A wonderfully entertaining thriller that brings together elements from the horror and rom com genres, How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed Thompson’s extreme take on speed dating.

Amazon

 

The Yacht by Kayte Nunn

Another crime fiction read with some international flair was The Yacht by Australian author Kayte Nunn.  Set in the sunny waters of Spain, The Yacht sees an ultra-rich family deal with drama aboard their new mega-yacht, while vengeful crewmembers watch from below deck.  Expertly bringing together class struggles with some excellent crime fiction elements, The Yacht was a striking standalone novel that is really worth checking out.

Amazon

 

Dark Desert Road by Tim Ayliffe

One of my favourite Australian authors Tim Ayliffe had an excellent 2026 with the standalone novel Dark Desert Road.  Following two estranged sisters caught on opposites sides of radical sovereign citizens, Dark Desert Road was a gritty and powerful thriller that took an interesting look at a rising element of Australian society.  An outstanding read that comes highly recommended.

Amazon

 

Warhammer 40,000: Da Freebooterz Code by Justin Woolley

I’m happy that I can include one book from my favourite franchise on this list, with the recent Warhammer 40,000 book Da Freebooterz Code.  Written by Australian author Justin Woolley, Da Freebooterz Code was one of the funniest books of the year that saw an ambitious ork pirate facing off against a vengeful human captain.  A wonderful and highly entertaining novel that comes highly recommended, especially on audiobook.

Amazon

 

The Shark by Emma Styles

Next on this list we have the fascinating and unique crime fiction read, The Shark by Emma Styles.  Following two damaged women who have been impacted in different ways by a serial killer haunting Perth, The Shark sees these protagonists attempt to take control of the situation in a very dark way.  An intriguing psychological thriller, The Shark was a great read that will stick in the mind well after you’ve finished reading it.

Amazon

 

The Couples Retreat by Mercedes Mercier

Mercedes Mercier takes the reader to the iconic Kangaroo Island with her latest novel, The Couples Retreat.  Following two separate protagonists caught up in a dramatic mass murder on the island, The Couples Retreat was a fantastic piece of crime fiction that proves easy to get caught up in.  Filled with compelling characters and interesting twists, The Couples Retreat is worth reading and I enjoyed its compelling mystery.

Amazon

 

Dark Sanctuary by Sarah Barrie

The final piece of Australian fiction that I want to highlight on this list is the twisted thriller Dark Sanctuary.  Written by Sarah Barrie, who excels as showcasing the dark side of Australian crime fiction, Dark Sanctuary was a chilling novel about murder and buried secrets told from three different perspectives.  Barrie really outdid herself with this powerful book about a deranged serial killer with some unique motives, and Dark Sanctuary ended up being a spectacular and memorable read that is a very worthy novel to end this list on.

Amazon

 

As you can see from the above, I have managed to check out a bunch of epic Australian novels in the first half of this year.  Each of the above were exceptional and fun reads and I would strongly recommend to everyone.  I look forward to reading more awesome Australian books in the second half of 2026, with some many upcoming books likely to make the end-of-year version of this list like Choppy Water by Jack Heath and Bad Neighbours by Joanna Jenkins.  Make sure to check out my other recent lists about the first half of 2026, especially my other Top Ten Tuesday post tonight, and let me know what cool Australian books you have already checked out this year.

Top Ten Tuesday – Top New-to-Me Authors That I read in the First Half of 2026

On By The Unseen LibraryIn List1 Comment

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics.  The official topic for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday required participants to pick ten books that live in my head rent-free, and one I might come back to later, I’m instead going to continue my recent trend of discussing books from the first half of the year and highlight my favourite new-to-me authors That I read in the first half of 2026.

Each year I am lucky enough to read a great number of awesome novels, and this often includes books written by authors whose work I was previously unfamiliar with.  2026 is so far proving to be a great example of this as there were an incredible collection of amazing novels written by authors who were completely new to me.  This included some debuting authors, as well as more established writers whose work I only got around to reading this year.  Many of these new-to-me authors produced some truly exceptional novels, including one or two which I consider to be some of the best books released in 2026 so far and I really feel the need to highlight them here.

To appear on this list, the book had to be one I read this year and be written by an author who I was unfamiliar with before 2026.  If I had not read anything from this author before last year or if their book was a debut, it was eligible to appear here.  After some hard work I was able to whittle this down to a manageable top ten list, with my usual generous honourable mentions section.  I am really surprised at some of the impressive and enjoyable authors I had to exclude from this list, but I think the below entry really highlights the best new-to-me authors I have enjoyed so far in 2026.

Honourable Mentions:

Kayte Nunn – The Yacht

Kayte Nunn excels with The Yacht, an excellent novel with drama and intrigue on a luxury yacht.

Amazon

 

Kate Horan – On the Edge

I read my first Kate Horan novel this year with On the Edge, a deeply compelling Australian crime fiction novel with some great twists behind it.

Amazon

 

Leodora Darlington – The Exes

Leodora Darlington had an intriguing debut this year, The Exes, which follows a troubled protagonist and her many difficult relationships.

Amazon

 

Mercedes Mercier – The Couples Retreat

I also enjoyed a great book from Mercedes Mercier with The Couple’s Retreat, another fantastic Australian crime fiction novel that examines multiple toxic relationships on the picturesque Kangaroo Island.

Amazon

Top Ten Tuesday:

Cameron Sullivan – The Red Winter

The first new author I want to highlight is debuting Australian writer, Cameron Sulivan, who presented one of the best books of 2026 so far, The Red Winter.  Cleverly bringing together some unique fantasy elements with several periods of French history, The Red Winter was a riveting and highly entertaining novel that I couldn’t stop reading.  Easily one of the top debuts of 2026, The Red Winter was so damn good and I am very excited to read more from Sullivan in the future, especially if he decides to write some sequels to this incredible first novel.

Amazon

 

Christopher Buehlman – The Blacktongue Thief

After years of having him on my mind, I finally got the chance to read something from acclaimed fantasy author Christopher Buehlamn with his most famous fantasy novel, The Blacktongue Thief.  An elaborate and brutal dark fantasy novel, The Blacktongue Thief lived up to all the hype around it, and I ended up powering through its clever adventure story filled with some great characters.  I had such an incredible time with my first experience of reading Buehlman’s writing that I intend to read two more books from the author this year, the prequel novel The Daughter’s War and the upcoming sequel The Thrice-Bound Fool, both of which are bound to be extremely awesome.

Amazon

 

Nicholas Timms – The Lineup

Another impressive debut Australian author from the first half of 2026 was surfer turned writer Nicholas Timms.  Timms has already shown themself to be a rising crime fiction star by writing one of the more Australian novels of the year, The Lineup.  Following a traumatised former surfer who returned home to solve a murder he witnessed through a webcam, The Lineup was a captivating and powerful read that I had a wonderful time with.  Timms really showcased his ability to write damaged characters in this novel, while the underling surfing elements of The Lineup gave it a unique flavour.  Timm’s really impressed me with this debut, and I look forward to reading more from him in the future.

Amazon

 

Jennifer Pearson – Drop Dead Famous

Another great new crime fiction author I must rave about is Jennifer Pearson, whose debut young adult thriller, Drop Dead Famous, had one of the best mysteries of 2026 so far.  Setting two compelling protagonists on a jarring and moving investigation that unlocks all their respective family’s darkest secrets, Drop Dead Famous had me hooked very early one and I just couldn’t get over how complex and layered the underlying mystery was.  I came away really respecting Pearson as an author and I look forward to reading the promised sequel to Drop Dead Famous when it comes out next year.

Amazon

 

Callum Davis –Warhammer 40,000: Chem Dog

Fans of this blog know I’m a massive Warhammer fiction fan, and one of the many things I really love about the franchise’s internal publisher, The Black Library, is the way in which they find and cultivate great new authors each year.  In 2026 this includes Callum Davis, who presented a particularly exciting entry in the Warhammer 40,000 canon, Chem Dog.  Following a trouble commissar as he leads members of a notorious penal legion on a suicide mission, Chem Dog was an excellent first outing from Davis, who really captured the dark nature of the franchise.  Loading in some great action with various entertaining characters, Chem Dog showcased Davis’ writing potential, and I hope we see more Warhammer books from him in the future.

Amazon

 

Douglas Preston and Alethia Preston – Paradox

The next entry on this list is a little different as Douglas Preston is an author I’ve read a few times before.  However, this was the first time I’ve read something written by both Preston and his daughter Alethia Preston, who has made her debut here with Paradox.  The sequel to Douglas Preston’s previous novel, Extinction, Paradox was another compelling and over-the-top thriller, that saw the returning protagonists investigate a series of murders seemingly connected to both aliens and radical elements of the Catholic church.  I found it quite interesting to read something from this new father/daughter team and the two of them produced a highly entertaining and dark novel that was a lot of fun to get through.

Amazon

 

Shailee Thompson – How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates

One of the more exciting and memorable debut authors of 2026 so far is Australian author Shailee Thompson, who provided an exciting and distinctive read with How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates.  An exciting novel that served as a compelling hybrid of the slasher and romantic-comedy genres, How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates was an amazing first novel from Thompson, and one that is really worth checking out.

Amazon

 

Christopher Cantwell – Star Trek: Red Shirts

I had an amazing time reading my first comic from rising author Christopher Cantwell this year, with Star Trek: Red Shirts.  Part of a new generation of Star Trek comics, Red Shirts was a particularly dark take on the classic trop of the doomed Starfleet security officer, and I loved the fun, if brutal, story that Cantwell effectively pulled together in this short miniseries.  Filled with some excellent twists and compelling thoughts about life as a short-lived red shirt, Red Shirts was an excellent comic, and I fully intend to grab more comics written by Cantwell in the future.

Amazon

 

M. K. Oliver – A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage

While I’ve had fun with many new authors this year, I think that the 2026 debut author with the funniest book of the year is M. K. Oliver, who wrote the hilarious thriller A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage.  Following a driven sociopath who must balance a trouble homelife and great personal ambitions with murder, dark secrets and the machinations of selfish high-society ladies, A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage was an extremely funny read that I couldn’t put down.  Oliver perfectly blended thrills, twists and entertaining insights from a murderous protagonist you somehow keep rooting for, and the result was something very special.  An outstanding first outing from Oliver, and I’m already excited for the sequel coming out next year.

Amazon

 

David Annandale – Warhammer 40,000: Apostle

The final new-to-me author I want to highlight on this list is David Annandale.  Annandale is a well-known author to Warhammer 40,000 fiction fans, having written several intriguing novels from the franchise.  However, until a few months ago I had never had the chance to read one of his books, until his latest entry, Apostle, came out.  A fascinating and dark read about opposing religions in the chaotic Warhammer 40,000 universe, Apostle was a great showcase of Annadale’s style, and I’ll be keen to read more of his Warhammer novels going forward.  An excellent final new author to highlight on this list.

Amazon

 

Well, that’s the end of this latest Top Ten list.  I think it turned out rather well and it encapsulates some of the best new authors I have checked out so far in 2026.  I look forward to reading more books from these authors in the future and I have no doubt they will produce additional epic and incredible reads.  It will be interesting to see what other great new-to-me authors I will get to experience in the rest of 2026, and I am sure there are going to be some exceptional new books from them.

Top Ten Tuesday – My Favourite Audiobooks from the First Half of 2026

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Audiobook, ListLeave a comment

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics.  The official topic for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday required participants to list books from authors they are unfamiliar with.  While this is an interesting idea, and one I might come back to later, I’m instead going to continue my recent trend of discussing books from the first half of the year and highlight my favourite audiobooks from the first half of 2026.  This is a continuation of my Top Ten list from a couple of weeks ago that featured my favourite overall novels from the first half of 2026.

I have a great deal of love for the audiobook format, and it is one of the main ways that I tend to check out books.  I have long been a major fan of audiobooks, and it is amazing the various ways in which listening to a book can enhance your enjoyment.  An excellent audiobook can really bring you into the story, and I find that listening to a book enhances the amount of detail that you can take in.  In addition, other features, such as captivating voices, music and sound effects can really make an audiobook something special, and there some great examples of the format I have enjoyed throughout my life.  This year alone I have listened to a ton of outstanding audiobooks, includes some of my favourite books from early 2026.  Because I love this format so much, I thought I would take this opportunity to highlight my favourite audiobooks from the first half of the year.

To pull this list off I had a look at all the 2026 releases that I listened to on audiobook to figure out my favourites.  It turns out that I have already gone through quite a few this year so there was a large collection of potential additions to this list, which I was eventually able to whittle it down to the best ten audiobooks.  There is a bit of a crossover with my previous Favourite Books from the First Half of 2026 list, but I think there are enough new additions to make this list worthwhile.  I made sure to feature only the very best audiobooks on this list, and, in addition to the quality of the baseline novel, I also looked at audiobook production and narration.  This includes whether the audiobook has outstanding narration or uses music and sound effects to enhance the plot.  Keeping these criteria in mind, I came up with the following strong Top Ten List and associated Honourable Mentions, and all the audiobooks listed below were exceptional listens that come very highly recommended by this blog.

Honourable Mentions:

Jigsaw, written by Jonathan Kellerman and narrated by John Rubinstein

A captivating addition to Jonathan Kellerman’s long-running Alex Delaware series.  John Rubinstein does an amazing job bringing Kellerman’s characters to life throughout this excellent mystery.

Amazon

 

Warhammer 40,000: Chem Dog, written by Callum Davis and narrated by Richard Reed

Callum Davis provides an excellent debut to the Warhammer franchise, with Chem Dog.  A very fun read that comes across perfectly on audiobook, especially with talented narrator Richard Reed on board.

Amazon

 

The Right to Remain, written by James Grippando and narrated by Jonathan Davis

James Grippando continues his fantastic Jack Swyteck legal thriller series this year with the very clever The Right to Remain.  I had an outstanding time listening to The Right to Remain on audiobook, especially with Jonathan Davis (one of the best Star Wars narrators) reading it out.

Amazon

 

Warhammer 40,000: Ghost Legion, written by Mike Brooks and narrated by Alex Lanipekun

Another great Warhammer 40,000 audiobook from earlier this year.  Ghost Legion was a fantastic sequel to Brooks’ previous novel Harrowmaster, with a new narrator reading it out.

Amazon

Top Ten List:

A Parade of Horribles, written by Matt Dinniman and narrated by Jeff Hays

Let’s start this list off with one of the more outrageous, epic and highly entertaining audiobooks of 2026, A Parade of Horribles.  The eighth book in Matt Dinniman’s deeply impressive Dungeon Crawler Carl series, A Parade of Horribles is an outstanding and hilarious new entry in the series, which sees the surviving protagonists forced to compete in a series of deadly, whacky races as they continue to traverse the dungeon.  Not only was this a particularly awesome book by itself, but it also had an exceptional audiobook version.  Now, if you know anything about the Dungeon Crawler Carl series then you know that the audiobooks are the best format to enjoy the stories in thanks to the excessive range of entertaining and distinctive voices from narrator Jeff Hays.  Hays has so much fun providing all the awesome voices in A Parade of Horribles and his brilliant take on the characters and crazy events was just perfect.  While, as an Australian I have ‘thoughts’ about the accent he gave to some giant kangaroos, the rest of the voices he came up with were so damn good, with an unhinged AI and a certain talking cat being impressive highlights.  Also, there are some exceptional musical chapters and other inclusions in this audiobook, which make A Parade of Horribles worth listening just on their own.  Honestly, A Parade of Horribles’ audiobook was on a whole other level, and if you haven’t started listening to Dungeon Crawler Carl, you are missing out!

Amazon

 

Warhammer 40,000: Ghazghkull Thraka: Warlord of Warlords, written by Denny Flowers and narrated by Harry Myers

I doubt anyone familiar with my blog is going to be too surprised that there are going to be a lot of Warhammer 40,000 audiobooks on this list.  I have a lot of love of Warhammer fiction, and the audiobook formats are always the best way to enjoy these epic and entertaining novels.  As such, one of the big entries on this list is the outstanding 2026 audiobook Ghazghkull Thraka: Warlord of Warlords.  The latest novel from Denny Flowers, Warlord of Warlords was an addictive and awesome read that focused on the entertaining ork faction and their legendary new leader.  Filled with humour, over-the-top action and some very interesting dives into ork lore, Warlord of Warlords was a great book on its own, but his was further enhanced by the excellent audiobook version.  Much of this is down to the narration of Harry Myers, who frankly portrays the orks better than anyone else in the current stable of Warhammer audiobook narrators.  His booming, laddish voice for the orks was just golden, and listening to a whole bevy of orks fight and scheme made for such an outstanding audiobook.  A wonderful listen guaranteed to get a chuckle out of any Warhammer fan.

Amazon

 

Twelve Months, written by Jim Butcher and narrated by James Marsters

When pulling together a list of the best audiobooks of 2026, there is no way I can exclude Twelve Months by Jim Butcher.  The long-anticipated 18th entry in Butcher’s Dresden Files series, Twelve Months showcases the dark fallout from the epic novel Battle Ground, with a particular focus on the mental trauma of the series protagonist.  Twelve Months was one of Butcher’s most impressive reads, and it’s unsurprising that the audiobook version was also quite exceptional.  Not only does Twelve Months’ emotional narrative become even more impactful when read out, but this audiobook also sees the return of the legendary James Marsters as narrator.  Marsters, who has narrated all the Dresden Files books, has long figured out the best way to portray all the great characters in this series, and his work in Twelve Months was impeccable and captivating.  I especially love how Marsters handled narrating the anguish and despair of the point-of-view protagonist, and this was one of his best audiobook performances.  A standout audiobook from a series with so many amazing listens.

Amazon

 

Red Empire, written by Jonathan Maberry and narrated by Ray Porter

It’s a rare year when one of Jonathan Maberry’s outstanding novels doesn’t appear on my regular lists of best audiobooks.  This is because Maberry’s over-the-top books are so perfectly crazy and the awesome action and fantastic characters really come across when read out, especially with the very talented recurring narrator Ray Porter on the job.  Maberry’s latest novel, Red Empire, was a particularly epic audiobook, which not only featured an excellent story, but because it has some of Porter’s best narration.  I only just finished Red Empire today, and it is one of my favourites from his current Rogue Team International series, especially with some cool revelations about some key characters and some powerful tragedies loaded into the plot.  An exceptional novel with an even more impressive audiobook.

Amazon

 

Pretenders to the Throne of God, written by Adrian Tchaikovsky and narrated by David Thorpe

One of the more compelling and thought-provoking fantasy audiobooks of 2026 was Pretenders to the Throne of God by the always impressive Adrian Tchaikovsky.  The fourth book in Tchaikovksy’s incredible Tyrant Philosophers series (City of Last Chances, House of Open Wounds and Days of Shattered Faith), Pretenders to the Throne of God told the complex tale of personal struggles, humorous brushes with authority and alternating motivations, all set to the background of a besieged fantasy city.  A highly addictive read, loaded with moving character arcs and elaborate fantasy elements, Pretenders to the Throne of God was so damn good as both a novel, and an audiobook.  Narrator David Thorpe expertly captures Tchaikovsky’s witty tone with his voice work, and I loved how he perfectly voiced all the unique characters, bringing their complex struggles to life.  This was such an amazing audiobook, and I cannot recommend this series enough.

Amazon

 

Warhammer 40,000: Hive, written by Dan Abnett and narrated by Toby Longworth

While some of the Warhammer 40,000 audiobooks of 2026 are great because they are fun and funny, this next entry, Hive, was particularly amazing because it dove into the grimdark roots of the universe.  One of the longest and most complex Warhammer audiobooks, Hive was an exceptional read by one of the franchises best authors, Dan Abnett, that dove into conspiracies, rebellions and plant-ending plots in one of the franchises’ gigantic hive cities.  A sprawling novel that wove multiple unique character arcs into one gripping narrative, Hive was so damn good, and I was deeply impressed with how amazing it came out in the audiobook format.  The always amazing Toby Longworth, who has narrating most of Abnett’s many Warhammer books, did another incredible job in Hive, voicing the entire massive (and I do mean massive) cast, on his own.  Not only does each character get their own voice, but Longworth perfectly captured the distinctive slang, language and accents of the hive city, enhancing the setting and allowing you to really envision the city and its trouble inhabitants.  I was absolutely enthralled with this wonderful audiobook, and Hive is Warhammer fiction at it’s very best.

Amazon

 

The Hard Line, written by Mark Greaney and narrated by Jay Snyder

One of the best spy thrillers of 2026 for me so far is The Hard Line by Mark Greaney.  An excellent addition to Greaney’s long-running Gray Man series, The Hard Line was particularly awesome, loaded with some excellent action, intrigue and interesting character moments.  I made sure to listen to The Hard Line on audiobook, which once again features narrator Jay Snyder.  Snyder always does an outstanding job bringing Greaney’s espionage vision to life, and his narration adds to the tension of the plot, especially when describing the action scenes from multiple angles.  I really loved how easy it is to absorb and become addicted to Greaney’s great stories on this format, and The Hard Line is a must-listen for all audiobook fans looking for an exciting and clever thriller.

Amazon

 

30Seven, written by Jeremy Robinson and narrated by Scott Brick

Jeremy Robinson is an author who often appears on my best audiobook lists, and I love his complex and intense reads.  In 2026 Robinson once again makes an appearance, especially with his unique and dark standalone science fiction thriller, 30Seven.  An entertaining and disturbing novel that sets a serial killer loose amid an alien abduction narrative, 30Seven was a great book, whose unique narrative perfectly came across on audiobook.  What was interesting with 30Seven is that it featured Robinson’s first collaboration with iconic audiobook narrator Scott Brick.  Brick clearly has fun taking a break from his usual thriller work, and he provides an entertaining and haunting narration to this gripping read.  I loved how well Brick enhanced this audiobook with his voice work, especially in scenes told from the killer’s perspective.  A particularly fun audiobook, it will be interesting to see how some of Robinson’s other audiobooks this year (Parallax and the upcoming Settle Down) stand up to it.

Amazon

 

Warhammer 40,000: Da Freebooterz Code, written by Justin Woolley and narrated by Harry Myers

The final Warhammer 40,000 audiobook I’m going to feature on this list, is the comedic goldmine that is Da Freebooterz Code.  The second Warhammer novel by Justin Woolley, Da Freebooterz Code follows the alternating views of a bold ork pirate captain and a slowly unravelling rogue trader, as they engage in a brutal space war.  One of the funniest Warhammer books I have read, Da Freebooterz Code was an incredible read, that gets even better on audiobook.  Harry Myers, the only narrator to appear on this list twice, does another awesome job with Da Freebooterz Code, and once again loved his take on the orks.  I particularly loved how, rather than just reusing the same ork voices he had in Warlord of Warlords, Myers went out of his way to make the orks in Da Freebooterz Code sound more ‘piratey’, which was just brilliant.  Another exceptional Warhammer 40,000 audiobook.

Amazon

 

Operation Bounce House, written by Matt Dinniman and narrated by Travis Baldree

Matt Dinniman is having an exceptional 2026, with two particularly awesome reads.  His second for this list, Operation Bounce House, was a clever and heartfelt standalone science fiction novel, that saw a peaceful colony world invaded by destructive mechs remotely piloted by bloodthirsty Earth gamers.  A very interesting and moving read from Dinniman, which is also further enhanced by an excellent audiobook version, this time narrated by Travis Baldree.  Baldree, a narrator who fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl would be familiar with thanks to his work in The Eye of the Bedlam Bride, does an incredible job at bringing Operation Bounce House to life with his voice work.  I really liked the personal and emotionally charged take Baldree had for this audiobook, and it resulted in one of the more moving audiobooks of 2026.  A fantastic and powerful final audiobook entry for this list.

Amazon

 

Well, that’s the end of this latest list.  As you can see, there have been some very good audiobooks out in the first half of 2026.  It will be interesting to see which books make the cut later in the year, especially as I currently have several major 2026 audiobooks currently sitting on my phone, waiting to be listened to.  While I get to that, make sure to let me know what your favourite audiobooks of 2026 so far are in the comments below.

Top Ten Tuesday – My Favourite Movies and Tv Shows from the First Half of 2026

On By The Unseen LibraryIn List1 Comment

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently reside at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics.  This is actually my second Top Ten List of this week, as I also looked at my favourite books from the first half of 2026.  However, I also wanted to take the time to highlight some of the other awesome entertainment that came out in the first half of the year, and so with this second list I’m going to look at some of my favourite movies and television shows so far released in 2026.

2026 has so far been an interesting year for both films and television (a general term that also includes shows and miniseries released by streaming services), with some great new content coming out in both mediums.  I’ve had the pleasure of watching various films and shows that have been released this year, and there are some real interesting gems.  I must admit that my viewing habits for 2026 fiction has a been a little mainstream, but there are still some interesting and weird entries to thrown in as well.

I ended up deciding to highlight five films and five television series is this single list, with a couple of other honourable mentions thrown in.  This was primarily done because I haven’t watched as much 2026 televisions series yet this year (I’ve been caught up with some older long-running shows).  Still this breakdown between films and television series does a good job of showcasing some of the interesting stuff I’ve been watching this year, and I’m happy with how the list turned out.  So let us see what makes the cut.

Honourable Mentions:

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (Film)

After many years, Star Wars fans finally got another film with the very entertaining The Mandalorian and Grogu.  A well-made continuation of The Mandalorian television show, The Mandalorian and Grogu was a very fun watch, that brought some light-hearted adventure back into the franchise.

 

Young Sherlock (Television Series)

 

An excellent and thrilling series that showcased a young Sherlock Holmes getting involved in his first mystery and conspiracy.  Filled with some great twists and surprise villains, Young Sherlock is a fine watch that you can power through very quickly.

 

Pizza Movie (Film)

One of the more unique movies of 2026 was the stoner comedy Pizza Movie, which saw several college outcasts attempt to obtain pizza to modify the effects of a crazy experimental drugs they’ve taken.  A very ridiculous movie with some beautifully insane moments, Pizza Movie was one of the funniest things I watched all year and I had to give it an honourable mention here.

 

Pop Culture Jeopardy! (Television Series – Season 2)

While a fan of regularly Jeopardy!, I must admit there was something particularly fun about the easier Pop Culture Jeopardy!, the recently released second season of which I binge watched on Netflix.  A very entertaining show that still engaged my brain, I had so much fun with this second season that I also went back and watched the original first season produced by Amazon.

Top Five List – Favourite Films from the First Half of 2026

Project Hail Mary

The first film entry on this list might be one of the best with the gripping science fiction epic, Project Hail Mary.  An adaptation of the book of the same name, Project Hail Mary was an outstanding adventure in space, complete with great acting, an amazing alien sidekick and some deeply impressive special effects.  Not only does this film hit all the right emotional notes, but it also is a faithful adaptation of the original book, which I personally really appreciated.  An incredible watch that is best enjoyed on the biggest screen you can find.

 

Send Help

The next entry on this list, Send Help, is pretty darn bonkers, but it honestly was one of the best things I watched all year.  A new Sam Raimi classic, Send Help has some great role reversals when a seemingly meek office worker played by an unhinged Rachel McAdams, is trapped on a deserted island with her abusive, yet hapless boss, fantastically portrayed by Dylan O’Brien.  The resulting mind games, abuse and insane decisions adds so much tension to the mix, and you honestly don’t know which terrible person to root for as the film progresses.  Throw in some over-the-top Raimi gore and some truly unsettling moments, and Send Help was a brutal watch you won’t be able to escape from.

 

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Another outstanding cinematic smash from the first half of the year was the new 28 Years Later film, The Bone Temple.  A twisted sequel to the first 28 Years Later film, The Bone Temple sees returning protagonist Spike caught up in the machinations of Jimmy Savile-styled cultists, who are somehow more dangerous than the zombies infesting the country.  With outstanding performances from Jack O’Connell (who is killing it with villain roles at the moment) and especially Ralph Fiennes, The Bone Temple was in many ways better than the first film.  It definitely had one of the coolest scenes of all time thanks to a dance number played to Iron Maiden’s The Number of the Beast, which was so cinematically awesome.  A truly wonderful film, although it’s a shame, we might not get a third entry in the series after some disappointing box officer returns here.

 

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

Another outstanding sequel from the first half of 2026 is the second Ready or Not film, Here I Come.  Bringing back Samara Weaving for another comedic slasher hunt, Ready or Not 2 was an over-the-top follow-up to the first film, with some excellent action sequences, humour and general carnage.  Featuring some great supporting performances from an amazing cast, including Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy and Elijah Wood, Ready or Not 2 was relentlessly entertaining, and a fun continuation of the series.

 

Toy Story 5

The final film I need to feature on this list is the latest entry in the iconic Toy Story series, Toy Story 5.  An emotionally charged animated triumph, Toy Story 5 takes the franchise back to the lofty heights of the first few films, with a heartwarming story about friendship, personal struggles and the impact technology is having on our children.  I loved everything about this film, especially how it finally gave the viewers closure from some heartbreaking moments in Toy Story 2, and you’ll come away with all the feelings we have come to expect from classic Pixar animation.

Top Five List – Favourite Tv Shows from the First Half of 2026

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Topping my list of fantasy shows is the carefully crafted A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms televisions adaptation and prequel to A Game of Thrones.  Set roughly 100 years before the events of the show, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms sees a simple hedge knight dragged into the machinations of the Targaryen family.  Short and brutal yet bringing back all the magic and political intrigue of the original show, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms made excellent use of its relatively unknown, yet highly talented, cast, and produced a particularly gripping watch that could save the entire franchise.

 

One Piece – Season 2

I’ve long been a fan of the One Piece anime and I ended up really enjoying the epic live-action adaptation Netflix first released a couple of years ago (one of the only good live-action anime adaptations).  However, I honestly felt that this second season was even better than the first as they cover some of the original manga/anime’s best early episodes in dramatic fashion.  Perfectly leaning into the silliness and heart that made the original productions so iconic, this second season brought back even more of the franchise’s magic, while also providing its own unique take.  Clearly made with love, and featuring impressive performances from a dedicated cast, including some great new inclusions, this second season of One Piece was one of the best things about 2026, and I cannot wait for the third season to come out.

 

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord

In addition to a new movie, Star Wars fans also got some incredible animated content this year with Maul – Shadow Lord.  Another brilliant sequel to Dave Fillion’s iconic The Clone Wars, Maul – Shadow Lord follows the former Darth Maul as he attempts to rebuild his criminal network, while also embarking on far more sinister plans.  However, the greater evil shadow of the Empire hangs over the entire cast, and soon Maul will come face-to-face with a true embodiment of the Dark Side, in a particularly epic final episode.  Beautifully animated and featuring a dark story with so much cool action, Maul – Shadow Lord is Star Wars television at it’s very best, and I still cannot believe just how cool some of the final confrontations were.  The second season of this show can frankly not come soon enough, and I just have to know what happens next.

 

Spider-Noir

Nick Cage steals the small screen with his appearance in the whacky and fantastic live-action Spider-Noir.  A clever alternate reality story, featuring Nick Cage as failing private eye Ben Reilly, a former vigilante known as The Spider, in a 1930’s inspired New York, Spider-Noir was an excellent watch, that combined some serious comic moments with the over-the-top insanity of a Nick Cage performance.  Throw in some great supporting performances, including Brendan Gleeson as the main antagonist, and the fun option to either watch the show in black-or-white or a unique colour style, and this was an outstanding watch that catches the imagination.

 

The Pitt – Season 2

The final entry on this list is a series that many people are going to have on their best-show lists, with the second season of The Pitt.  A brilliant medical drama that captures a chaotic holiday shift at a busy emergency room, this second season of The Pitt had just as much drama as the first, with multiple tragic deaths and highly detailed depictions of medical emergencies.  Also bringing in some great recurring characters and examining the personal dramas associated with the high-pressure lives of medical professionals, this second season of The Pitt hit the same high standard as its initial season, and you just keep coming back for more.  Highly recommended, especially as a binge watch.

 

Well, that’s the end of my second Top Ten list for the week.  I think combined these lists do a great job of showcasing what I’ve been up to so far this year and 2026 is really proving to be an outstanding time for fiction.  Let us know what your favourite movies and television shows released so far in 2026 are in the comments below and keep up all the great viewing.

Top Ten Tuesday – My Favourite Books From the First Half of 2026

On By The Unseen LibraryIn List4 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently reside at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics.  The official topic for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday involved listing books with a word of your choice in the title.  While this is an interesting topic which I might come back to later, I had already decided in advance that this week I would take this opportunity to celebrate the fact that we are into the second half of 2026 by highlighting some amazing books from the first half of the year.

2026 has already proven to be a fantastic year for books, and I have already read some incredible new releases, including impressive standalone books, amazing entries in established series and fantastic debuts.  Because of this, I thought that I would take the time to work out what my top ten favourite books from the first half of 2026 were.  To be eligible, a book had to be a particularly epic novel released in the first half of this year.  I have excluded any books released during this period that I have not so far read, although a couple of releases I have my eye on might have appeared on this list if I had read them in time.

Coming up with this list proved to be a rather bigger task than I originally intended, as I ended up amassing nearly 20 releases, all of which I consider to be outstanding reads.  I was eventually able to whittle this down to an acceptable Top Ten list, although I did include my typical generous honourable mentions section.  I am rather happy with how this list turned out, although I am surprised at some of the great recent books that ended up being excluded.  Still, the entries below represent what I considered to be some of the best books from the first half of 2026, and I would strongly recommend each and every one of them.

Honourable Mentions:

Green City War by Adrian Tchaikovsky

A captivating and unique thriller featuring genetically engineered animals living in the shadow of the human world.  A wonderful and addictive read full of Tchaikovsky’s intense imagination.

Amazon

 

Warhammer 40,000: Ghazghkull Thraka: Warlord of Warlords by Denny Flowers

A very impressive Warhammer 40,000 novel that sees the always entertaining orks get involved in all manner of civil war shenanigans.  I had a great time with this book which provides one of the best looks at the ork faction in this crazy universe.

Amazon

 

Red Empire by Jonathan Maberry

The latest Joe Ledger/Rogue Team International novel from one of my favourite authors Jonathan Maberry, Red Empire features a particularly awesome story which pits the protagonists against some of their worst historical foes, while secrets from their mysterious leader’s past are finally revealed.  This is turning out to be one of my favourite books of the year, although I’m going to leave it as an honourable mention as I am only halfway through, and I need to see how the final twists unfold.

Amazon

 

Warhammer 40,000: Da Freebooterz Code by Justin Woolley

Another outstanding Warhammer 40,000 novel from rising star Justin Woolley.  Featuring an epic story about an ambitious ork pirate captain facing off against an increasingly crazed rogue trader, Da Freebooterz Code was one of the funniest books of 2026 and I had an incredible time reading it.

Amazon

Top Ten Tuesday:

Twelve Months by Jim Butcher

The first book I want to highlight on this list is one of the best books of 2026 so far, the highly anticipated Twelve Months by Jim Butcher.  The 18th book in Butcher’s acclaimed Dresden Files series, Twelve Months captures the full traumatic fallout of the previous novel Battle Ground and takes the reader on an emotional and compelling journey.  One of the more unique and powerful entries in an already incredible series, Twelve Months had me hooked from the very first page and was well worth the five-year gap between it and the previous entry.

Amazon

 

A Parade of Horribles by Matt Dinniman

The talented Matt Dinniman continued his insanely good Dungeon Crawler Carl series this year, with A Parade of Horribles, an instant classic in a particularly epic LitRPG series.  Taking the surviving characters on a deadly racing car romp, A Parade of Horribles was an exceptional and hilarious read, that I was incapable of putting down.  Loaded with amazing characters, impressive world building and some deeply moving moments amongst the chaotic action and amazing comedy, A Parade of Horribles was Dinniman at his very best, and I cannot recommend this book or its accompanying series enough.

Amazon

 

Warhammer 40,000: Hive by Dan Abnett

I had to include at least one Warhammer 40,000 novel on this list, and in 2026 my absolute favourite was Hive by Dan Abnett.  A complex and layered novel shown from the perspective of multiple characters in a gigantic and isolated hive city filled with billions of people, Hive has the reader follow multiple unique character arcs as revolution, conspiracy and other hidden insanities seek to bring the city down.  I was absolutely addicted to this incredible novel right up to the bitter end, and Hive honestly highlights just how damn good and dark a novel in the Warhammer 40,000 universe can be.

Amazon

 

The Hard Line by Mark Greaney

Another top novel for me in 2026 was the new Gray Man novel by Mark Greaney, The Hard Line.  A wonderful addition to the series that sets up some major ongoing storylines, The Hard Line sees the spy protagonist attempt to uncover a major espionage conspiracy hitting Washington, while also fending off the attentions of a legendary assassin, intent on getting revenge.  An ultra-exciting and cleverly written thriller, The Hard Line was another outstand novel from Greaney that I had so much fun with.

Amazon

 

Pretenders to the Throne of God by Adrian Tchaikovksy

The master of unique fantasy and science fiction had an exceptional 2026, although my favourite new book from him had to be Pretenders to the Throne of God.  The fourth book in the author’s Tyrant Philosophers series (City of Last Chances, House of Open Wounds and Days of Shattered Faith), Pretenders to the Throne of God followed multiple compelling characters around the siege of a fantasy city, with politics, personal ambitions and dark secrets all throwing calamity at both besieger and defender.  Featuring a combination of excellent new storylines and the intense return of some familiar characters with major problems, Pretenders to the Throne of God was an exceptional novel from start to finish, and I am so damn excited to see how the series ends next year.

Amazon

 

Ironwood by Michael Connelly

The legendary Michael Connelly provided more outstanding crime fiction delight in the first half of 2026 with his new novel, Ironwood.  A sequel to his 2025 novel, Nightshade, Ironwood returns the reader to Catalina Island where his latest police protagonist investigates multiple murders occurring on his seemingly picturesque slice of California, only to uncover an even darker conspiracy coming for him.  Easily one of the best crime fiction reads of 2026 so far, Ironwood was so damn good and I managed to finish it off extremely quickly.  A very easy entry on this list, and one that comes highly recommended.

Amazon

 

Our Lady of Blades by Sebastien de Castell

One of the more unique fantasy entries on this list had to be the impressive Our Lady of Blades by Sebastien de Castell.  A compelling, character-driven fantasy novel that works as both a standalone read and part of de Castell’s Greatcoat universe, Our Lady of Blades follows a mysterious duellist who returns to her corrupt city to get revenge for her murdered family.  However, nothing is what it seems, not even the identity of the protagonist, and the resulting narrative is a wonderful mixture of pain, impressive characters and amazing action.

Amazon

 

The Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan

While I knew well in advance of their releases that I was going to love most of the books on this list, the one that took me completely by surprise was the incredible debut novel, The Red Winter by Australian author Cameron Sullivan.  An entertaining and moving fantasy epic that takes place across three different periods of French history, The Red Winter was an amazing novel that had me hooked very early on.  I especially love how well Sullivan tied The Red Winter’s story into a unique historical event in rural France, and the resulting tale of magic, love and betrayal, was incredible from beginning to end.  Easily the best debut of 2026 so far, and one that all fans of fantasy fiction should check out.

Amazon

 

30Seven by Jeremy Robinson

Jeremy Robinson continues to provide outrageous science fiction hybrid novels in 2026, as he drops one of his best novels yet, 30Seven.  A wonderfully warped novel, 30Seven follows a damaged father who is abducted by aliens alongside his son and multiple campers at an isolated campground.  However, things quickly get even more insane when it is revealed that one of the other abductees is the serial killer responsible for the murder of the protagonist’s wife, and who is now unleashing artistic terror across the alien ship.  An amazing novel full of twists, horrors and interesting alien encounters, 30Seven was so much fun, and I cannot wait to see what Robinson comes up with next.

Amazon

 

Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman

The final book on this list is also the second entry from one of my new favourite authors, Matt Dinniman, with the powerful standalone novel, Operation Bounce House.  Following a group of colonists on an isolated human world when they are invaded by murderous gamers piloting mechs from back on Earth, Operation Bounce House was a compelling novel about family, community and survival.  Featuring a more subtle story than Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl series, Operation Bounce House was a particularly moving book, that provides its own brand of epic action and clever humour.  An exceptional novel from an author who has really shown his ability to craft unique stories and worlds in the first half of 2026.

Amazon

 

Well, that’s the end of this latest list.  As you can see, I have already read some amazing and epic books so far in 2026 and we are only halfway through the year.  I am pretty happy with how this list turned out, and it will be interesting to see which of these books ends up being amongst my top reads of the year.  All the novels above come very highly recommended, and you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time reading them.  Let me know what your favourite releases for the first half of the year are in the comments below and make sure to check out my two most anticipated reads lists for the second half of 2026 (fantasy and science fiction and other).  Make sure to also check out my other Top Ten Tuesday list of the week, where I highlight some of my favourite movies and television shows from the first half of 2026.

Top Ten Tuesday – My Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2026

On By The Unseen LibraryIn List8 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics.  For this Top Ten Tuesday, I will be listing my most anticipated books for the first half of the year.  This is a regular post I do each year and I always look forward to highlighting the most awesome looking books coming out in the next six months.  

2026 is shaping up to be an outstanding year for awesome and impressive fiction with a ton of epic and amazing sounding novels set for release throughout the year.  I am particularly excited about the next six months as there are some deeply impressive books coming out that I am extremely keen for.  This includes some fantastic sounding sequels, continuations to brilliant series, and several cool new novels from some very talented authors.  Because there are so many incredible reads coming out across the genres, I am extending this list out to a Top Twenty list to cover all the big release coming out until July. I have already highlighted several of these books in some previous lists and Waiting on Wednesday articles which has made me really appreciate just how awesome the upcoming year is going to be.

For this list, I am only featuring books that are set for release in Australia or on Netgalley between 1 January 2026 and 30 June 2026 which I have some descent details about.  I ended up with a huge collection of exceptional novels that I wanted to feature, which made completing this list surprisingly difficult.  I made it a little easier on myself by only including one book per author, which helped considerably, and I was eventually able to break it down to the best 20 books and I feel that I have capture the books that are going to be the best fiction reads of the first half of 2026.  So let us see what made the cut.

Top Twenty List:

The Right to Remain by James Grippando – 6 January 2026

Let’s start this list off with some awesome legal thriller fiction, with the cool new book from James Grippando, The Right to Remain.  The 20th book in the author’s Jack Swyteck series (of which I’ve previously enjoyed Goodbye Girl and Grave Danger), The Right to Remain will once again follow Grippando’s lawyer protagonist into a complex courtroom battle as he attempts to defend a man who literally refuses to say a single word in his own defence.  The Right to Remain has a very interesting plot idea behind it and I cannot wait to check it out.

Amazon

 

Dark Desert Road by Tim Ayliffe – 6 January 2026

There are quite a few excellent Australian novels coming out in the first half of 2026, but one of the ones I’m most excited for is Dark Desert Road.  A new novel from Australian author Tim Ayliffe, who has previously impressed with his John Bailey series, Dark Desert Road will serve as an interesting change of pace from the author, as he provides a more thriller-based narrative around a new protagonist, while also touching on some worrying contemporary issues in Australia.  I am extremely curious to see how Dark Desert Road turns out, and I’m hoping to read this book very soon.

Amazon

 

City of Others by Jared Poon – 13 January 2026

One very fun debut that I am excited for in the coming months is the amazing sounding fantasy novel City of Others by Jared Poon.  A cool urban fantasy set in Singapore, City of Others will follow an overworked bureaucrat tasked with keeping the city’s supernatural population happy while also attempting to stop all of Singapore from disappearing.  Due to its entertaining plot and interesting setting, I think this debut has a lot of potential and I am extremely excited to check it out.

Amazon

 

Twelve Months by Jim Butcher – 20 January 2026

One of the fantasy novels that I am most excited to read in 2026 is Twelve Months, the long-awaited 18th book in Jim Butcher’s iconic Dresden Files series.  Set in the aftermath of the devastating Battle Ground (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2020), Twelve Months will see the grieving wizard protagonist continue to protect Chicago from all manner of dark supernatural threats, while also forced to deal with the complex magical politics infecting his life.  I cannot wait to see how this series continues, especially after power reading the entire series after loving Battle Ground (all of which was pretty damn epic, including Dead Beat, Changes and Skin Games, just to name a few).  If Butcher continues to feature his usual complex characters, impressive narratives and clever worldbuilding, Twelve Months will easily be another exceptional read, and I am so damn eager to read this new Dresden Files offering.

Amazon

 

30Seven by Jeremy Robinson – 20 January 2026

One of the more inventive authors of science fiction thrillers, Jeremy Robinson, is set to have a very successful 2026, with a couple of fantastic novels on the way.  The first of these is the particularly awesome novel 30Seven, which has such an epic alien abduction plot.  I love the sound of this book, especially as the protagonist will not only have to protect his child from the aliens, but also from a human serial killer who has been abducted alongside them.  One of the more distinctive science fiction novels coming out, I already know that 30Seven is going to be awesome and I’m very excited for it.

Amazon

 

Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead by K. J. Parker – 27 January 2026

The always entertaining K. J. Parker returns with a cool new comedy fantasy series in 2026, starting with the awesome book Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead.  The first book in the Loyal Opposition trilogy, Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead will introduce the trilogy’s titular protagonist, a faithful nun who also serves as her church’s murderous fixer.  Tasked with making a meddling princess disappear, Sister Svangerd infiltrates a famed religious conference, only to encounter religious intrigue, murder and revenge, that they need to navigate their mission around.  I really love the sound of this book, and I cannot wait to see what over-the-top schemes and plots the protagonist will need to overcome.  This is going to be such an epic book, and Parker already has a sequel set for release in May 2026 with Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know, which I also have very high hopes for.

Amazon

 

Jigsaw by Jonathan Kellerman – 3 February 2026

Over the last few years, I have come to really enjoy the compelling and unique mysteries of Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware series.  Following two fun protagonists as they attempt to solve some of the more unusual murders in Los Angeles, the long-running Alex Delaware series always provides a fantastic mystery in the new year.  Kellerman’s next book is the particularly intriguing sounding Jigsaw that will see the protagonists investigate two seemingly unconnected murders, neither of which are what they seem.  I have had such a great time with the previous Alex Delaware novels, and I cannot wait to see how this new book turns out.

Amazon

 

Antihero by Gregg Hurwitz – 10 February 2026

Greggy Hurwitz will continue to explore his complex former spy, turned vigilante protagonist Evan Smoake in the upcoming new Orphan X novel, Antihero.  Following on from the traumatic events of Nemesis, Antihero will see a further damaged Evan attempt to save a woman in trouble.  However, Evan finds himself with an unusual handicap, as his new client doesn’t want him to hurt anyone.  I have no doubt that Antihero is going to be one of the more distinctive and emotionally charged entries in an always exceptional series, although I’m a little worried about what trauma Hurwitz puts his protagonist through next.

Amazon

 

Pretenders to the Throne of God by Adrian Tchaikovsky – 12 February 2026

While the always impressive Adrian Tchaikovsky has several intriguing novels coming out in early 2026 (including the awesome sounding Green City Wars), the book of his I am most excited for is Pretenders to the Throne of God.  The fourth book in Tchaikovsky’s Tyrant Philosophers series, Pretenders to the Throne of God will follow on from City of Last Chances (one of my favourite audiobooks of 2023), House of Open Wounds (one of my favourite books of 2023) and Days of Shattered Faith (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2025).  This new novel will once again follow a complex group of characters as they attempt to survive the dark expansion of a fanatical militaristic empire, this time centred around the siege of a magical city.  The last three books in this series have been amongst the cleverest and most compelling pieces of fantasy fiction I have had the pleasure of reading, and I have no doubt that this upcoming book is going to be just as impressive.

Amazon

 

The Hard Line by Mark Greaney – 24 February 2026

The thriller hits keep on coming in early 2026, as we also have a new Gray Man novel from Mark Greaney with The Hard Line.  An amazing sounding continuation of this iconic thriller series, The Hard Line will see the protagonist forced to deal with family drama, while also contending with a vengeful assassin who may be even more skilled than he is.  This sounds like another particularly incredible inclusion in one of the best ongoing spy thriller series out there, and I cannot wait to see all the elaborate action sequences and clever storytelling The Hard Line is sure to contain.

Amazon

 

Red Empire by Jonathan Maberry – 10 March 2026

I doubt anyone familiar with my blog will be too surprised that a new Jonathan Maberry novel is making this list, especially after I have spent the last few weeks talking up Maberry’s most recent release, Cold War.  Maberry’s next novel, Red Empire, will be the fifth book in the Rogue Team International series, which itself is a spinoff of the author’s epic Joe Ledger novels.  Following on from excellent books like Rage, Relentless, Cave 13 and Burn to Shine, Red Empire will see the protagonists fight against an old enemy determined to unleash unimaginable destruction.  This new novel from Maberry sounds pretty damn incredible, and I am very eager to read it, especially as the synopsis promises some big reveals regarding an enigmatic figure who has intrigued fans since the very first Joe Ledger book.

Amazon

 

Blindside by Michael Mammay – 24 March 2026

One of the big science fiction novels I’m looking forward to reading in early 2026 is Blindside by the very talented Michael Mammay.  Part of the author’s very impressive Planetside series, Blindside will see Mammay’s retired soldier protagonist, Colonel Carl Butler, engage in a new thrilling story when old enemies target those closest to him.  However, this time the enemy is ready for Butler’s cowboy antics, and all hell looks set to be unleashed.  I am extremely eager to get my hands on Blindside in March, especially after deeply enjoying all the previous Planetside novels like Planetside, Spaceside, Colonyside and Darkside, and I have no doubt this next book is going to be particularly captivating.

Amazon

 

First Mage on the Moon by Cameron Johnston – 14 April 2026

One of the more unique fantasy novels on this list is the very entertainingly titled First Mage on the Moon by Cameron Johnston.  Johnston, who has previously deeply impressed with over-the-top fantasy novels like The Maleficent Seven and The Last Shield, is going all out again with his new novel, which as the title suggests, will see a group of mages attempt to fly to their moon.  Sure to be an extremely epic book that will combine magic with elaborate technology in a war-torn nation, First Mage on the Moon sounds like a particularly unique and crazy read, and I for one cannot wait to check it out.

Amazon

 

Dark Sanctuary by Sarah Barrie – 28 April 2026

One of the darker pieces of Australian fiction I am looking forward to in 2026 is the new book from Sarah Barrie, Dark Sanctuary.  Barrie, who really impressed me with her Lexi Winter novels (Unforgiven, Retribution, Vendetta and Endgame), looks set to drop another elaborate and twisted thriller in Dark Sanctuary, and I love the cool synopsis for this book that will follow several people dragged into a series of connected crimes.  I look forward to seeing what Barrie’s outstanding imagination has cooked up this time, and I feel that Dark Sanctuary has the potential to be one of the top Australian fiction releases of the year.

 

Sisters of the Lizard by Jackson Ford – 5 May 2026

One of the more unique entries coming out in the coming months is the very entertaining Sisters of the Lizard by Jackson Ford.  The fun follow-up to Ford’s amazing 2025 novel, The Bone Raiders, which saw a small group of raiders attempt to keep their freedom by taming giant, fire-breathing lizards to use as mounts, Sisters of the Lizard will continue these character’s adventures, as they face off against new foes and dangers.  I already know this is going to be an amazing and highly exciting novel, and I cannot wait to see where Ford takes his unique and extremely funny narrative idea going forward.

Amazon

 

Our Lady of Blades by Sebastien de Castell – 12 May 2026

The next entry on this list was one I’d hoped to read last year, however, Our Lady of Blades got pushed back to 2026 (at least we got the bonkers novel The Malevolent Eight in 2025).  Luckily, we don’t have too much longer to wait until Our Lady of Blades comes out, and it now looks set to be one of the top fantasy releases of 2026.  The next book in de Castell’s Court of Shadows series (part of his larger Greatcoats universe), Our Lady of Blades will follow on from the loosely connected novels Crucible of Chaos and Play of Shadows.  Featuring an intriguing story of revenge and redemption in a city obsessed with duels, Our Lady of Blades will feature de Castell’s trademark humour, complex storytelling, and expansion of his elaborate fantasy world.  I look forward to seeing how Our Lady of Blades ties into the other Court of Shadows novels, and I have a feeling this is going to be a particularly impressive fantasy highlight of 2026.

Amazon

 

A Parade of Horribles by Matt Dinniman – 12 May 2026

While I was tempted to include Matt Dinniman’s other planned 2026 novel, Operation Bounce House, on this list, I instead had to feature the epic upcoming novel A Parade of Horribles (cover yet to be released), which is one of the most anticipated releases of the year.  The eighth book in Matt Dinniman’s exceedingly popular Dungeon Crawler Carl series, A Parade of Horribles will continue to follow protagonists Carl and his sentient cat Princess Donut, as they attempt to survive the increasingly deadly and utterly bonkers dungeon formed from the detritus of a destroyed Earth.  While most of the details about A Parade of Horribles’ plot have yet to be released (it will apparently have a cool race focussed plot, which gives me some awesome Mad Max flashes), you have to know it is going to be something particularly epic and incredible, especially as all the previous novels in the series have been utterly exceptional and brilliantly bonkers.  I have so much love for this series after having become irreversibly addicted to it last year (highlights include Dungeon Crawler Carl, The Butcher’s Masquerade and The Eye of the Bedlam Bride), and I am so damn eager to see how this series will continue.  I personally am planning to listen to A Parade of Horribles on audiobook (narrated by the insanely talented Jeff Hays), and I cannot wait to see how this new novel unfolds.  If you haven’t experienced the Dungeon Crawler Carl series yet, do yourself a favour and check them out on audiobook before A Parade of Horribles comes out, you will not be disappointed!

Amazon

 

Ironwood by Michael Connelly – 19 May 2026

One of the last crime fiction books I want to feature on this list has the potential to be one of the best with the next fantastic novel from Michael Connelly, Ironwood.  The sequel to his intriguing 2025 novel Nightshade, Ironwood will once again focus on Connelly’s new protagonist Detective Stilwell, as he attempts to solve crimes from his banished post of Catalina Island.  However, in this book, he finds himself teaming up with another Connelly protagonist, with Detective Renée Ballard serving as a supporting character.  This should result in quite an intense and addictive crime fiction read, and I am particularly keen to read Ironwood as soon as I can.

Amazon

 

Mortedant’s Peril by R. J. Barker – 19 May 2026

The penultimate book I want to highlight is the epic new fantasy novel from R. J. Barker, Mortedant’s Peril.  An intriguing sounding urban fantasy, Mortedant’s Peril will follow a protagonist hunted throughout his city for reading the final thoughts of the wrong dead man.  I have a lot of confidence that Barker is going to pull out something special with this new novel, especially after impressing with all his previous trilogies, and I am confident that Mortedant’s Peril is going to be a top book of 2026. 

Amazon

 

A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett – 9 June 2026

Perhaps one of the most impressive and addictive new fantasy series from the last two years has been the Shadow of the Leviathan books by Robert Jackson Bennett.  An extremely clever and compelling fantasy murder mystery series that sees the chaotic team of an over-enhanced investigator and her faithful assistant, solve impossible crimes in a nation constantly under attack from giant monsters.  Both the previous books in this series, The Tainted Cup and A Drop of Corruption, have been exceptional five-star reads, and I have been eagerly waiting for the next entry in the series ever since I finished the last page of the second Shadow of the Leviathan novel.  This third upcoming book, A Trade of Blood (cover yet to be released), will see the protagonist attempt to stop a violent civil war by proving that a member of a powerful family is innocent of a gruesome murder.  However, the protagonists soon find themselves dragged into a dark conspiracy against a ruthless opponent determined to destroy the nation.  A Trade of Blood sounds just as incredible as the previous two Shadow of the Leviathan novels, and I cannot wait to unwind this latest narrative and it’s no-doubt elaborate and captivating fantasy-based mystery.

Amazon

 

Well, that’s the end of this first list.  As you can see, there are some mighty impressive novels coming out the first half of this year.  All the above entries on this list have an incredible amount of potential and I have a feeling I am going to deeply enjoy every single of one of these great reads.  2026 is going to be an outstanding year for fiction, not only with these amazing books, but because of some of the other ones potentially coming out later this year.  I look forward to seeing how all these cool novels turn out, and I think I am going to have an extremely incredible time reading these authors in 2026.